Windows Support Tools

Introduction to Windows Support Tools

The Windows Support Tools assist support personnel and network administrators in managing their networks and troubleshooting problems. They are not installed with the Windows operating system; you must install them separately from the \Support\Tools folder of the Windows operating system CD. This Help file provides information on the tools and shortcuts for opening or running these tools.

Getting Help on Support Tools

Click a category on the Contents tab and then click the file name of the tool.

Use the Index tab to locate a tool by either tool name or file name.

Each tool is covered in a main Help topic. Links to associated topics covering syntax, examples, or other features of the tool are available at the top of each topic for that tool. Tools with Windows interfaces may include a separate Help file available from the Help menu in the tool window. For command-line tools, Help is also available by typing FileName /? at the command prompt.

An extensive Support Tools Glossary is available from the Contents tab. Links to glossary definitions that appear as pop-up windows are formatted in underlined dark green text.

Troubleshooting with Support Tools

Many Support Tools provide diagnostic features that are useful for troubleshooting Windows operating system configurations. However, because these tools have been designed primarily for system administrators and support personnel, their output may be difficult to analyze. In these cases, you can consult the Microsoft Windows Deployment and Resource Kits Web site for troubleshooting information.

Understanding Notation and Terminology

The following topics cover the conventions for usage and notation that are observed in this document:

This documentation assumes you are already familiar with the Windows operating system. For more general information about Windows, including keyboard equivalents to menu and mouse actions, see Windows Help.

Printing Topics

When you print from HTML Help, a dialog box opens asking whether you want to print the selected topic or to print the selected heading and all subtopics. Printing the selected topic is recommended. If you print a heading and subtopics, you may encounter error messages and special formatting will be lost, but the topics still print.

Printing from Help and Support Center (HSC) results in similar behavior, except the dialog box only opens when a heading or topic has subtopics.